Jackie Randall Launches campaign for House District 21

Hawthorne Mayor Jacquelyn “Jackie” Randall is running for House District 21, pledging to bring more accountable, people-centered leadership to the Legislature.

Randall announced her candidacy this week. She wants to become a state lawmaker, she said, to deliver solutions for families across the region.

A lifelong Hawthorne resident, health care professional and college professor, she has served seven years in local government as a City Commissioner and later as Mayor.

“I didn’t wake up one day searching for a new title or the next opportunity. Much like when I first ran for office, I woke up recognizing a need, an opportunity to seek solutions, to serve, and to deliver real results for the people I care about,” she said in a statement.

“What convinced me that now is the time to run for House District 21 is simple. The solutions I hoped for years ago are finally within reach. I am ready to deliver for every person in this district. I believe my experience, my determination, and my willingness to listen can make a real difference right now.”

Randall said her interest in higher office grew from lessons learned during local challenges, including the possible closure of her community’s school. She helped organize parents and teachers, establish a PTA and advocate to keep the school open — an experience she described as transformative.

Randall’s professional background as a respiratory therapist has also shaped her approach to public service, her campaign said. She worked on the frontlines during the COVID pandemic, caring for critically ill patients, and said those experiences reinforced the importance of empathy in leadership.

“When you’ve held someone’s hand as they struggle to breathe or watched a family say goodbye to a loved one, you learn humility,” Randall said. “You learn that leadership decisions are never theoretical; they impact real lives. That’s why I lead with empathy, because I’ve seen firsthand how much it matters.”

Randall’s running on a promise to strengthen the local economy, expand access to quality education and support affordable health, compassionate care.

She’s running to succeed state Rep. Yvonne Hinson, who announced in September that at “nearly 78 years young,” she would not seek re-election this year.

Randall is the fourth Democrat to file for the HD 21 race, following Antione Fields, Xavier Monroe and Malik Moore, whom Hinson endorsed.

So far, no Republicans are running in the district, which covers parts of Alachua and Marion counties, including Hawthorne, Micanopy, McIntosh, Reddick and portions of Gainesville and Ocala.

Hinson last faced a Republican challenger in 2022, when she won by more than 20 percentage points.